Dow Surges to 53,277 on Strong Healthcare and Business Activity

The Dow Jones Industrial Average surged to 53,277.01 on Friday, marking its largest single-day percentage gain among major US benchmarks.

The index climbed 517.80 points, or 0.98%, with healthcare stocks providing the clearest lift, particularly pharmaceutical heavyweights Merck and Johnson & Johnson.

A strong reading on US business activity, showing growth at its fastest pace in more than four years, gave investors confidence in the economy's resilience despite rising borrowing costs.

The Dow remains within striking distance of its 52-week high of 54,744.33 and comfortably clear of its 52-week low of 44,948.16.